JP3214749B2 - Car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car washer having a side brush capable of cleaning a rear surface of an automobile body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when cleaning a wagon-type vehicle equipped with a rear mirror at the rear of a vehicle body, the rear mirror may be damaged by interference with a side brush. Therefore, when washing a wagon-type vehicle equipped with a rear mirror, a method of operating a switch provided on an operation panel of the car washer so that the side brush performs an evasion operation to prevent damage to the rear mirror has been proposed. (See Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-165262).

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, a worker looks at the vehicle, and the vehicle to be cleaned has a rear mirror.
Since it is necessary to operate the switch after checking whether or not it is equipped, the rear mirror may be damaged due to forgetting to operate the switch.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to reliably prevent the rear mirror from being damaged by the side brush.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a car washer provided with a side brush capable of cleaning a rear surface of a vehicle body, the type of the vehicle is determined. Vehicle type discriminating means, first and second rear end detecting means for detecting the rear end of the vehicle, and rear end detection for selecting one of the first and second rear end detecting means based on the discrimination by the vehicle type discriminating means. And means for controlling the relative position between the side brush and the rear surface of the vehicle body based on the detection of the rear end detecting means selected by the rear end detecting means selecting means.

[0006] The invention described in claim 2 is a vehicle for traveling
In a car washer equipped with a side brush capable of cleaning a rear surface of a vehicle body in a frame, a vehicle type determination unit for determining a vehicle type of the vehicle, a rear end detection unit for detecting a rear end of the vehicle without contact, and the rear end detection. When means detects the rear end of the car
The traveling distance of the traveling frame from the
The vehicle type the vehicle type discriminating means has determined from among the forward stroke distance
Distance selecting means for selecting on the basis, said rear end detecting means
Wherein from the time of detecting the rear end of the car distance selection means select
Where the traveling frame travels by the selected traveling distance
Stop the running frame on the
Control means for controlling the rear surface to be cleaned .

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portal frame 1 has a pair of left and right rails 3 extending along the front-rear direction of the automobile to be washed by a pair of driving wheels 2, 2 and driven wheels 32, 32. 3 supported on. The drive wheels 2, 2 are rotationally driven by variable speed motors 4, 4, whereby the portal frame 1 runs on the rails 3, 3 in an arbitrary direction at an arbitrary speed.

The gate frame 1 has a top brush 45 that can be lifted and lowered for brushing the upper surface of the vehicle, and a pair of openable left and right side brushes 6 and 6 for brushing the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle. Provided.

As is apparent from FIG.
The rotating shafts 13, 13 of the pair of side brushes 6, 6 are supported by vertically extending holding cylinders 14, 14, and movable frames 15, 15 to which the holding cylinders 14, 14 are fixed are swinging shafts provided at both ends. It is supported movably along a guide rail 17 rotatably supported by the portal frame 1 by the driving shafts 16, 16. And the rotating shafts 13 and 13 of the side brushes 6 and 6
Are rotationally driven by prime movers 18, 18 attached to the moving frames 15, 15.

The motors 18, 18 are provided with a pair of load detecting means SF1, SF2 for detecting the rotational load of the side brushes 6, 6 based on the current, power consumption, rotation speed, etc. (see FIG. 2). One load detecting means SF1 detects that the side brushes 6, 6 abut on the rear end of the vehicle with a relatively large surface pressure, and the other load detecting means SF1.
No. 2 detects that the side brushes 6, 6 have contacted the rear end of the vehicle with a relatively small surface pressure. Load detection means SF
1 constitutes a first trailing end detecting means, and the load detecting means SF2 constitutes a second trailing end detecting means.

Springs 20, 20 are contracted between the upper ends of the levers 19, 19 fixed to both ends of the swinging shafts 16, 16 of the guide rail 17 and the portal frame 1. By urging the guide rail 17 to the neutral position, the side brushes 6, 6 are held in a vertical posture in a normal state. Then, when an external force is applied to the side brushes 6, 6, the side brushes 6, 6 move together with the moving frames 15, 15 and the guide rail 17 to the swing shaft 1
It swings in the traveling direction of the portal frame 1 around 6,16.

The swing of the side brushes 6, 6 is controlled by three swing switches 21, S arranged close to one lever 19.
A1 and SA2 (see FIG. 1). The swing switch 21 detects that the side brushes 6, 6 have contacted the front end of the vehicle. Two swing switches SA1, SA
No. 2 detects that the side brushes 6, 6 abut on the rear end of the vehicle. The swing switch SA1 is a side brush 6,
It operates with a large swing angle of 6, and the side brush 6,
6 operates with a large contact pressure against the rear end of the vehicle. The swing switch SA2 operates with a small swing angle of the side brushes 6, 6, and operates with a small surface pressure at which the side brushes 6, 6 contact the rear end of the vehicle. The shake switch SA1 constitutes a first rear end detecting means, and the shake switch SA
Reference numeral 2 denotes a second trailing end detecting means.

The other ends of the first links 22, 22 whose one ends are pivotally supported by the portal frame 1, are connected to the moving frames 15, 15 via second links 23, 23, respectively. , 22 and the portal frame 1 have a cylinder 2
4, 24, and the moving frames 15, 15 are provided.
The other ends of the wires 26, 26 whose weights 25, 25 are suspended from one end and the intermediate portions are wound around the pulleys 12, 12, are connected to one end. Therefore, when the cylinders 24, 24 are operated, the left and right moving frames 15, 15 move outward together with the side brushes 6, 6 so as to be separated from each other.
When the side brushes 4 and 24 are not operated, the side brushes 6 and 6 move inward so as to follow the side surface of the vehicle by gravity acting on the weights 25 and 25.

Both side brushes 6 and 6 are provided on the guide rail 17.
Closed switch 2 inside to detect the position of the
7 and 27 and an open limit switch 3 on the outside.
0 and 30 are provided. On the other hand, the moving frames 15, 15 are provided with cams 31, 31 for operating the respective switches 27, 27; 30, 30. The closing switch 27,
27 constitutes a second rear end detecting means for detecting the rear end of the vehicle.

A rotary encoder 33 is connected to an output shaft of the motor 4 connected to one drive wheel 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the portal frame 1 is provided with a proximity switch 34 as a start position detection switch and a proximity switch 35 as a return position detection switch. In addition, driven wheels 3 are provided at front and rear ends of the rails 3 and 3, respectively.
2 and 32 and stoppers 36 for contacting the drive wheels 2 and 2 to prevent the running frame 1 from overrunning are provided. The proximity switch 34 as a start position detection switch is opposed to one of the rails 3. When the portal frame 1 travels forward, the proximity switch 34 detects the start position when the detection is changed from non-detection to detection. When the vehicle 1 travels backward, the start position is detected when it changes from detection to non-detection. The proximity switch 35 as a return position detection switch similarly detects a return position.

The gate type frame 1 has a first vehicle body detecting means K comprising a light projector 37A and a light receiver 37B of a photoelectric switch.
1, a second vehicle body detecting means K2 comprising a light projector 38A and a light receiver 38B of a photoelectric switch, and a third vehicle body detecting means K3 comprising a light projector 39A and a light receiver 39B of a photoelectric switch.
Are provided with different heights. The first vehicle body detecting means K1 and the second vehicle body detecting means K2 constitute a vehicle type discriminating means C2 described later, and the third vehicle body detecting means K3 constitutes a second rear end detecting means described later.

A control device 4 provided on the front surface of the portal frame 1
0 is the start switch 4 that is pressed when starting car washing.
1 and a fender mirror switch 42 which is pressed when washing a vehicle equipped with a fender mirror HM of a passenger car type
And a pre-wash switch 43 to be pressed to wash a wagon type vehicle not equipped with the front mirror FM, and a wagon type vehicle not equipped with the rear mirror RM, or a jeep type rear mirror RM and a spare tire. A post-wash switch 44 is provided which is pressed to wash a vehicle not equipped with the ST.

The control device 40 includes running position detecting means C1, vehicle type determining means C2, rear end detecting means selecting means C3,
Distance selection means C4 and control means C5 are provided.

The traveling position detecting means C1 includes a proximity switch 3
Each time the rotary encoder 33 outputs a pulse from when the rail 4 does not detect the rail 3 to when it detects the rail 3, the number of pulses is incremented by +1 when the portal frame 1 goes forward, and when it returns. , The running position L of the portal frame 1 from the start position is detected by subtracting the number of pulses from the start position.

The vehicle type discriminating means C2 includes the first vehicle body detecting means K1, the second vehicle body detecting means K2, and the traveling position detecting means C.
1, the type of the vehicle is determined. The function of the vehicle type determining means C2 will be described later in detail.

The rear end detecting means selecting means C3 is connected to the first rear end detecting means (vibration switch SA1 or load detecting means SF).
1) and one of the second rear end detecting means (the third vehicle body detecting means K3, the closing switch 27, the swing switch SA2 or the load detecting means SF2), and the vehicle type discriminating means C2 controls the rear mirror RM. First model V1 not equipped
Is determined, the first rear end detection means is selected. When the vehicle type determination means C2 determines the second vehicle type V2 or the third vehicle type V3 equipped with the rear mirror RM, the second rear end detection is performed. Choose a means.

The distance selecting means C4 determines whether the vehicle type discriminating means C2 has determined the first vehicle type V1 without the rear mirror RM, and whether the vehicle type determining means C2 has the second vehicle type V2 or the third vehicle type with the rear mirror RM. When the vehicle type V3 is determined, different traveling distances of the portal frame 1 are selected.

The control means C5 is provided with the traveling position detecting means C.
1. Based on the outputs of the vehicle type discriminating means C2, the rear end detecting means selecting means C3 and the distance selecting means C4, the side brushes 6,
6 and the traveling of the portal frame 1 are controlled.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 46 denotes a side nozzle, reference numeral 47 denotes a top nozzle, and reference numeral 49 denotes a rinsing device R.
N nozzles. Reference numerals 48 and 48 in FIG.
Is a stopper that regulates the stop position of the front wheels of the vehicle.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, an embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claim 1 will be described.

The portal frame 1 is stopped at the start position where the start position detection switch 34 is not detected, and the front wheels of the vehicle are stopped between the tire stoppers 48,48.

In the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is determined whether the front washing switch 43 has been pressed (step S1). If not, it is determined whether the rear washing switch 44 has been pressed (step S3). It is determined whether the fender mirror switch 42 has been pressed (step S
5) If not, it is determined whether the start switch 41 has been pressed (step S7).

When the front washing switch 43 is pressed in step S1, the front washing is stored (step S2), and the process proceeds to step S3. Rear washing switch 44 in step S3
When is pressed, the back washing is stored (step S4),
Proceed to step S5. When the fender mirror switch 42 is pressed in step S5, the fender mirror is stored (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S7.

When the start switch 41 is pressed in step S7, the side brushes 6, 6 open the limit switch 30,
Normal rotation starts at the limit position (indicated by (a) in FIGS. 9 and 11) at which the 30 operates, and the cylinders 24, 24 are deactivated and move inward. When the side brushes 6, 6 reach the closing position and the closing switches 27, 27 are operated, the portal frame 1 starts going forward and starts the going washing step (step S8). At this time, the vehicle type determining means C2 determines the vehicle type based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (step S9). When the vehicle type determination means C2 determines that the vehicle type is the first vehicle type V1 (step S10), a first cleaning operation is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 (step S11).
If the vehicle type discriminating means C2 is the second vehicle type V2 or the third vehicle type V
If it is determined to be 3 (step S10), a second cleaning operation is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 (step S12).

Next, the operation of the vehicle type discriminating means C2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, it is determined whether the first vehicle body detecting means K1 provided at an intermediate height has detected a vehicle body (step S20).
If it has not been detected, it is determined whether the traveling position detecting means C1 has detected the predetermined traveling position LA (step S2).
1) If not detected, the process returns to step S20. If detected, a passenger car type vehicle having a relatively low hood portion (that is, the first vehicle type V1, see FIG. 7A)
Is determined and stored (step S22).

When the first vehicle body detecting means K1 detects the vehicle body in step S20, it is determined whether the second vehicle body detecting means K2 provided at a high position has detected the vehicle body (step S2).
3) If it has not been detected, it is determined whether the traveling position detecting means C1 has detected the predetermined traveling position LB (step S24), and if not, the process returns to step S23.
If it is detected, a jeep-type vehicle having a relatively high hood portion (that is, the second vehicle type V2, see FIG. 7B), or a wagon-type vehicle with a small front slope (that is, the second vehicle type V2) , And FIG. 7 (c)) and store it (step S25). When the second vehicle body detecting means K2 detects the vehicle body in step S23, it is determined and stored as a wagon-type vehicle having a large front slope (that is, a third vehicle type V3, see FIG. 7D). (Step S26).

When the tire stoppers 48, 48 are at positions where the third vehicle body detecting means K3 does not detect an automobile when the gate-shaped frame 1 is stopped at the start position, the traveling positions LA, LB are defined as follows. The distance from the traveling position L at which the third vehicle body detecting means K3 detects the vehicle may be determined.

Next, step S in the flowchart of FIG.
A first example of the first cleaning operation corresponding to No. 11 (the cleaning operation in the case of the first vehicle type V1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when the portal frame 1 travels forward and reaches the front of the automobile, a first pre-wash is performed (step S3).
0).

In the first pre-wash, when the side brushes 6 and 6 come into contact with the front of the vehicle in the position (b) and swing, and the swing switch 21 is operated, the forward running of the portal frame 1 is stopped. The traveling position L1 at this time is stored. Next, the gate-shaped frame 1 is moved backward by a predetermined distance R1 to bring the front surface of the automobile to a position suitable for washing, and the traveling is stopped at that position. Here, the cylinders 24, 24 are deactivated after a certain time T1 when the side brushes 6, 6 reach the position (c) on the side of the vehicle. When the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the closed position, the side brushes 6 and 6 are reversely rotated, and the cylinders 24 and 24 are operated to move outward. When the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the opening position and the front of the vehicle is washed, the side brushes 6 and 6 are rotated forward and the portal frame 1 travels forward.

At this time, if there is no memory of the fender mirror (step S31), when the vehicle reaches the traveling position L1 (step S32), the cylinders 24, 24 are deactivated to wash the side of the automobile (step S33). When the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the rear end of the vehicle and move inward, and reach the positions where the closing switches 27 and 27 operate (d), the forward running is stopped and the rotation of the side brushes 6 and 6 is stopped. Then, the forward cleaning step is completed.

Subsequently, the side brushes 6, 6 are rotated in the reverse direction,
The gate-type frame 1 is moved backward to start a return cleaning process (step S34).

When the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the position (e) and come into contact with the rear surface of the vehicle and swing, and the swing switch SA1 as the first rear end detecting means operates (step S3).
5) Stop the backward running, store the running position L2 at this time (step S36), then start the forward running (step S37), and set a constant value for setting the rear surface of the vehicle to a position suitable for cleaning. When the vehicle travels for the distance R2 (step S
38), the forward running is stopped (step S39). Next, the cylinders 24, 24 are operated for a predetermined time T1 when the side brushes 6, 6 reach the position (F) on the side of the automobile, and then are deactivated. When the side brushes 6, 6 are in the closed position,
Rotate the side brushes 6 and 6 in the forward direction and rotate the cylinders 24 and 24
Is operated to move it outward (S40). When the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the limit position, the vehicle starts to return. When the vehicle returns to the traveling position L2, the cylinders 24 and 24 are deactivated to clean the side surface of the automobile. When the front end of the car is passed, the side brushes 6 and 6 are in the closed position, and when the start position is reached, the return cleaning process ends (step S41).

If it is determined in step S31 that the fender mirror is stored, the vehicle travels forward a predetermined distance R3 from the traveling position L1 (step S42), and the process proceeds to step S33. Accordingly, the force of the side brushes 6, 6 applied to the fender mirror HM of the first vehicle type V1 (passenger car type) can be reduced, and the fender mirror HM can be prevented from being damaged or misaligned.

Next, a second embodiment of the first cleaning operation will be described.

A motor 1 for driving the side brushes 6, 6
The rotational load of the side brushes 6, 6 is detected based on the current, power consumption, rotational speed, and the like of 8, 18 and the set value X at which the rotational load becomes a position suitable for washing the rear surface of a car of a passenger car type.
2, the load detecting means SF1 (FIG. 2)
When the load detecting means SF1 detects a predetermined rotational load instead of step S35 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step S36.

Next, step S in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the second cleaning operation (the cleaning operation in the case of the second vehicle type V2 and the third vehicle type V3) corresponding to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The vehicle type discriminating means C2 is connected to the second vehicle type V2 (FIG. 7).
(See (b), (c)) (step S50), the same first pre-wash as step S30 is performed (step S51). When the vehicle reaches the traveling position L1 (step S52), the cylinders 24, 24 are deactivated, the side brushes 6, 6 are closed, and the side of the automobile is cleaned (step S53).

If there is no memory of the back washing (step S
54) When the third vehicle body detecting means K3 provided at a low position as the second rear end detecting means detects the rear end of the vehicle (step S55), the running position L3 at that time is stored (step S56). At this time, the side brushes 6, 6 are in the (G) position.

When the gate-shaped frame 1 further travels forward, the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the rear end of the vehicle and move inward, and when the closing switches 27 and 27 are in the (h) position, the forward travel is performed. The traveling is stopped and the rotation of the side brushes 6 and 6 is stopped, and the forward cleaning step is completed.

Next, the gate brushes 1 are made to run backward by rotating the side brushes 6 and 6 in the reverse direction, and a return cleaning process is started (step S57). The side brushes 6, 6 move the traveling position L4 by adding a predetermined distance R4 to the traveling position L3.
When the vehicle reaches the position (R4 is a traveling distance to a position suitable for washing the rear surface of the vehicle equipped with the rear mirror RM), and reaches a position suitable for cleaning the rear surface of the vehicle (step S5).
8), stop the backward movement of the portal frame 1 (step S5).
9) As in step S40, after operating the cylinders 24, 24 at this traveling position for a certain time T1 until the side brushes 6, 6 reach the (nu) position on the side of the vehicle,
Deactivate. When the side brushes 6 and 6 reach the closed position, the side brushes 6 and 6 are rotated forward and the cylinders 24 and 6 are rotated.
24, the side brushes 6, 6 are moved outward (step S60). When the side brushes 6, 6 reach the open limit position, the cylinders 24, 24 are deactivated after returning to the limit position, and when the side brushes 6, 6 return for a predetermined distance R5, the cylinders 24, 24 are deactivated. Then, the side of the automobile is cleaned (step S61).

Next, the vehicle type discriminating means C2 sets the second vehicle type V2
(Step S62), the side brushes 6, 6 reach the closed position when the vehicle passes the front end of the vehicle, and when the vehicle reaches the start position, the return cleaning process ends (step S6).
3).

If it is not the second vehicle type V2 in step 50, that is, if the vehicle type discriminating means C2 is the third vehicle type V3 (FIG. 7).
(See (d)), the second pre-wash is performed (step S64). The second pre-wash is performed at a fixed distance R1.
The operation is the same as that of the first pre-washing until the traveling is stopped after returning, and when the traveling is stopped after returning to the predetermined distance R1, the side brushes 6 and 6 are rotated in the reverse direction.
24 is operated and the vehicle is returned. When the vehicle travels a predetermined distance R6 that can avoid damage to the front mirror FM of the wagon-type vehicle, the vehicle stops traveling backward. When the side brushes 6, 6 reach the limit position, the side brushes 6, 6 are rotated forward and run forward. After this step S64,
Proceed to step S52.

If it is determined in step S54 that there is memory for washing the rear surface, steps S34 to S40 are performed (step S65), and the flow advances to step S61. This makes it possible to clean the rear surface of the vehicle not equipped with the rear mirror RM.

If it is determined in step S62 that the vehicle type is the third vehicle type V3, and there is a memory of the pre-wash (step S62).
67), and the process proceeds to step S63 to wash the front surface. If the previous washing is not stored (step S67), the cylinder 24, 24 is actuated and the rotation of the side brushes 6, 6 is stopped when the vehicle has returned to the traveling position L5 obtained by adding the constant distance R7 to the traveling position L1, When the start position is reached, the return cleaning step is finished (step S68).

Instead of performing the rear end detection by the third vehicle body detecting means K3 in step S55, two first and third vehicle body detecting means K1 and K3 may be used.
Three third vehicle body detecting means K1, K2, K3 may be used. When a plurality of vehicle body detecting means are used, the rear end detected last is regarded as the rear end of the vehicle.

Next, a second embodiment of the second cleaning operation will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 showing a first embodiment of the second cleaning operation.
Following the step S56 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the cylinders 24, 24 are operated at the position where the side brushes 6, 6 have traveled a predetermined distance R8 to reach the rear end of the vehicle (R), and the rotation of the side brushes 6, 6 is stopped. . Next, the rear mirror RM
The vehicle stops running at the position (E) where the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance R9 forward to a position suitable for washing the rear surface of the vehicle equipped with, and the side brushes 6 and 6 are reversely rotated to make the cylinders 24 and 24 inoperative. . When the side brushes 6 and 6 are in the closed position (W), the same operation as in step S60 is performed, and when the side brushes 6 and 6 are in the open position (F), the rotation of the side brushes 6 and 6 is stopped. Then, after the rinsing device RN has performed the forward traveling for a predetermined distance R11 at which the rinsing using the clean water is completed, the traveling of the portal frame 1 is stopped and the outward cleaning process is completed.

In the subsequent return cleaning step, the side brushes 6, 6
When the vehicle returns to the traveling position L6 where the side surface of the automobile can be washed, the side brushes 6 and 6 are rotated forward to rotate the cylinder 2
4 and 24 are deactivated, and the process proceeds to step S62. In the case of one round-trip car washing, the drying device is operated at the position (Y) to perform the rerun drying process.

Next, a third embodiment of the second cleaning operation will be described.

FIG. 10 showing a first embodiment of the second cleaning operation.
11 and FIG. 11, steps S54 to S5
7, and in step S57, the closing switches 27, 27 as the second rear end detecting means are activated (h).
The travel position L7 corresponding to the position is stored, and step S58 is performed.
Instead, after returning to the position suitable for washing the rear surface of the vehicle equipped with the rear mirror RM, the vehicle travels a predetermined distance R12, and the process proceeds to step S59.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the second cleaning operation will be described.

In this embodiment, load detecting means SF2 is used to detect whether the rotational load of the side brushes 6, 6 has exceeded a set value X2 which is a position suitable for washing the rear surface of the vehicle equipped with the rear mirror RM. . That is, in FIG.
The process jumps from step S54 to step S57. When the load detecting means SF2 detects a predetermined rotational load instead of step S58, the process proceeds to step S59.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the second cleaning operation will be described.

In FIG. 10, the process jumps from step S54 to step S57, and instead of step S58, when the swing switch SA2 as the second trailing end detecting means for detecting the swing of the side brushes 6, 6 is operated, step S59 is performed.
Proceed to.

Next, another embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claim 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the gate-shaped frame 1 is provided with a fourth vehicle body detecting means K4 comprising a photoelectric switch at a distance E from the first to third vehicle body detecting means K1 to K3.
The fourth vehicle body detecting means K4 constitutes a first rear end detecting means for detecting the rear end of the first vehicle type V1 (passenger car type automobile). When it is determined that the vehicle type is the first vehicle type V1, the fourth vehicle type
The traveling position L at which the vehicle body detecting means K4 has detected the rear end of the vehicle.
FIG. 10 shows a traveling position L4A obtained by adding a fixed distance R4 to 3A.
Step S60 in the flowchart of FIG. When it is determined that the vehicle type is the second vehicle type V2 or the third vehicle type V3 (vehicle equipped with the rear mirror RM), the cleaning according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is directly executed.

When the load detecting means SF2 of the side brushes 6, 6 or the shake detecting switch SA2 is used as the trailing end detecting means of the second cleaning operation, FIG. 13 shows a case where it is determined that the vehicle is of a jeep type. Make it work.

As another embodiment corresponding to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the swing switch SA1 is used as the rear end detecting means, and the set load of the spring 20 can be changed. In the case of (2), the set load of the spring 20 can be increased, and in the case of the second rear end detecting means, the set load of the spring 20 can be reduced. In addition, a sensor that detects the lower limit position of the top brush 45 can be used as the second rear end detection unit.
The combination of the first rear end detection means and the second rear end detection means can be various combinations other than the embodiment.

Next, an embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claim 2 will be described.

In this embodiment, a fixed distance R traveled by the gate-shaped frame 1 from a traveling position L at which the rear end detecting means has detected the rear end of the vehicle is determined by the distance selecting means C4 based on a signal from the vehicle type discriminating means C2. You have selected. For example, in FIG. 11, when the vehicle type determining unit C2 determines that the vehicle type is the first vehicle type V1, the distance selecting unit C4 sets the distance R4A (R4A = R4−
E) Select the first without rear mirror RM
The vehicle body rear surface of the vehicle type V1 is cleaned. On the other hand, when the vehicle type discriminating means C2 determines that the vehicle is not the first vehicle type V1, the distance selecting means C4 selects the distance R4, and the rear mirror RM provided for the second vehicle type V2 or the third vehicle type V3 uses the side brush RM. 6 and 6 prevent damage.

The rear end detecting means used in this embodiment may use the above-mentioned third vehicle body detecting means K3.
And two first and third body detecting means K1 and K3 are used.
Or the first, second and third vehicle body detecting means K1,
K2 and K3 may be used. Multiple body detection hands
If steps are used, the last detected rear end is the rear end of the car
And

The vehicle type determining means for determining the type of the vehicle according to the first and second aspects detects the height of the vehicle as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-6664, and detects a vehicle higher than a predetermined value. A reflection type ultrasonic detection device that determines a wagon type and determines an automobile lower than a predetermined vehicle as a passenger car type may be used.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a vehicle equipped with a rear mirror is discriminated from a vehicle equipped with a rear mirror, and the vehicle equipped with a rear mirror is washed, the relative position between the rear surface of the vehicle body and the side brush is determined. Since the position can be appropriately controlled, the rear mirror can be reliably prevented from being damaged by the side brush.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a car washer.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the car washer.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a subroutine corresponding to step S9 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 6;

8 is a flowchart of a subroutine corresponding to step S11 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine corresponding to step S12 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation corresponding to another embodiment of the second cleaning operation.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation corresponding to another embodiment of the second cleaning operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Side brush C2 Vehicle type discriminating means C3 Rear end detecting means selecting means C4 Distance selecting means C5 Control means SA1 Shaking switch (first rear end detecting means, rear end detecting means) SA2 Shaking switch (second rear end detecting means, rear end) Detection means) SF1 Load detection means (first rear end detection means, rear end detection means) SF2 Load detection means (second rear end detection means, rear end detection means) K3 Third vehicle body detection means (second rear end detection means) K4 fourth vehicle body detecting means (first rear end detecting means, rear end detecting means) 27 closing switch (second rear end detecting means, rear end detecting means)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A car washer provided with a side brush capable of cleaning a rear surface of a vehicle body of a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle type determining means for determining a vehicle type of the vehicle; and first and second rear end detecting means for detecting a rear end of the vehicle. A rear end detecting means selecting means for selecting one of the first and second rear end detecting means based on the discrimination by the vehicle type discriminating means; and detecting the rear end detecting means selected by the rear end detecting means selecting means. And a control means for controlling a relative position between the side brush and the rear surface of the vehicle body based on the vehicle. 2. A car washer provided with a side brush capable of cleaning a rear surface of a vehicle body on a traveling frame, wherein a vehicle type discriminating means for discriminating the vehicle type of the vehicle, and a rear end of the automatic vehicle detected in a non-contact manner. Rear end detecting means, and the rear end detecting means
Of the traveling frame from when the
Row distance, and the distance selecting means for selecting on the basis of the vehicle type vehicle type discriminating means has discriminated from among a plurality of forward stroke distance corresponding to the vehicle type, the rear end detecting means detects the rear end of the car
Only the forward distance selected by the distance selecting means from time to time
Stop the traveling frame at the position where the traveling frame has traveled.
Control means for stopping the vehicle and cleaning the rear surface of the vehicle body with the side brush .